Violence continues to plague Oakland, despite the hard work of many organizations and individuals committed to seeing it reduced.

Although numerous efforts are underway at various levels to address the problem, a comprehensive blueprint to prevent violence that draws on the collective resources of this community is yet to be realized.

But there are examples this city can learn from for how such a plan can be crafted.

Minneapolis, MN, which came up with its own "Blueprint for Action to Prevent Youth Violence" could be used as a model. That city's plan was conceived by a coalition that included members of the community, city and county, state and even enjoyed some federal participation. How was it done? How is it working? Could it be done here?

An Oakland police officer adjusts crime scene tape in front of the Wing Stop restaurant on Lake Park Avenue in Oakland, Calif., on Tuesday, July 2, 2013. Two employees of the restaurant were shot and killed about 11:43 p.m. on Monday night. A suspect was arrested Tuesday morning, and police say it was not an attempted robbery. (Jane Tyska/Bay Area News Group)

Please join The Oakland Tribune and Robert C. Maynard Institute for Journalism Education for an informal panel and discussion on these questions and to learn more about what efforts are underway to reduce violence in Oakland.

The free event will be held July 24, 6-8 p.m. at the Black Box Theatre, 530 18th St. in downtown Oakland.

Featured on our panel will be Gretchen Musicant, commissioner at the Minneapolis Health Department, who played a key role in developing that city's plan, Alex Briscoe, director, Alameda County Health Care Services Agency, Oakland City Councilmember, Rebecca Kaplan (at-large), and Anne Marks, executive director of the Oakland-based nonprofit Youth ALIVE! The discussion will be moderated by Martin G. Reynolds, Bay Area News Group senior editor for community engagement.